Tesla has reportedly resumed development of its smallest electric car to date, with CEO Elon Musk’s promises of a lower price and ambitious sales targets.
Plans for a new Tesla car smaller than the Model 3 were first announced in late 2020, with a target value of US$25,000 (then A$35,000), but it was announced earlier this year that progress had been halted to focus on the launch of the Cybertruck ute Sports Car. Semi-trailer and Roadster.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors and media last week that engineers are pulling back on the company’s smaller passenger platform, after the Model S/X siblings and Model 3/Y duo, now production of the Semi has begun. and the Cybertruck is on its way by the middle of next year.
“We don’t need to communicate precise [launch] dates, however, this [new model] is the main one of our new vehicle progression team,” Musk said.
“At this point, I did the engineering for Cybertruck and for Semi, so guess clearly what we’re running on, the next-gen vehicle, which will likely charge a portion of the [model] 3/Y platform charge. It will be smaller, to be fair.
“But it will overcome, I think. . . the production of all of our other cars combined,” Musk said.
If Elon Musk’s prediction comes true, tiny Tesla could be one of the best-selling cars in the world, regardless of manufacturer, as the world’s best-selling vehicle in 2021, the Toyota RAV4, recorded more than 1. 1 million sales (according to the analysis of the automotive industry).
Tesla has delivered 908,573 cars so far this year (through the end of September) and is on track to succeed on nearly 1. 3 million cars by the end of the year, with existing production levels. Last year, it delivered 936,000 cars.
Model 3 pricing in the U. S. The U. S. starts from $46,990 (AU$75,000), a halving that would be in line with Musk’s promises in late 2020 of a base value of $25,000 for the small car.
However, the CEO’s comments seem to refer only to the production charge and do not take into account Tesla’s profit margins, which from July to September 2022 amounted to 27. 9% gross for Tesla car sales, to around 14% for other automakers, according to Forbes.
In addition to “making two cars because of the amount of effort we’re putting into making a Model 3 lately,” according to Musk, Tesla Chief Financial Officer Zach Kirkhorn said the new car would incorporate “everything learned from [Model] S, X, 3, Y, Cybertruck and Semi-trailer. “
No release date has been given for the small Tesla car, but with the next 18 months busy with the launches of the Semi truck, the Cybertruck ute and the Roadster sports car, it may not arrive until the middle of the decade.
Tesla previews long-lasting cars years before deliveries begin, either with a concept, like the 2019 Cybertruck or 2016 Model 3, or with a near-production car, like the 2019 Model Y.
Deliveries traditionally take between 12 months (Model Y) and six years (Roadster, assuming there is no longer delay) after the first presentation of those cars.
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